Who is Scott Ruskan? Coast Guard Hero Saves 165 People During Texas Floods

Scott Ruskan, a 26-year-old rescue swimmer with the U.S. Coast Guard, is being called an “American hero.” His first mission was to help during severe flash floods in Texas. In that mission, he helped save 165 people.

The Flood Crisis in Texas

During the Fourth of July weekend, Texas faced heavy flash floods. The Guadalupe River rose dramatically, going up 20 to 26 feet in just 90 minutes. This caused widespread damage and forced many people to evacuate. Sadly, over 80 people have died because of the floods, according to the Associated Press.

The National Weather Service issued flood warnings that could last until Monday morning. Rescue teams from many agencies joined efforts to help those in danger.

Who Is Scott Ruskan?

Scott Ruskan is originally from New Jersey. Before joining the Coast Guard, he worked as an accountant at KPMG. In 2021, he enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard. After finishing his training as a rescue swimmer, he was assigned to Corpus Christi, Texas.

In an interview with The New York Post, Scott said, “This is what it’s all about. This is why we do the job.”

The Rescue Mission

Scott was the triage coordinator at Camp Mystic, a summer camp where about 700 girls were present when the flood struck. The rescue mission was a joint effort with the Coast Guard, Texas Department of Public Safety, the Air National Guard, and Texas Task Force 1—a FEMA urban search and rescue team.

A Texas Task Force 1 technician requested the Coast Guard’s help for a quick response. Scott said this kind of mission was unusual for them, but they stepped in to help because lives were at risk.

Scott helped lead the rescue team that safely evacuated 165 people from the flooded camp.

He shared, “We got most of the people out of Camp Mystic, which is awesome. I feel like we did a lot of good that day. But it’s still sad because many are missing. The mission isn’t over for us yet.”

Praises and Recognition

Scott’s actions have been praised by many. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem called him an “American hero” on social media. She wrote that Scott was the only triage coordinator on the scene and saved 165 victims directly.

Scott humbly said, “I’m just doing a job. This is what I signed up for. Any Coast Guard rescue swimmer or pilot would have done the same thing.”

Nick Sotor, a media personality, also called Scott “the definition of an American hero” on social media.

The official Homeland Security account shared the news, recognizing Scott’s bravery and quick action.

What Happens Next?

President Donald Trump has declared Kerr County a “Major Disaster Area.” Rescue operations continue as many agencies work together to help those affected by the floods.